Only with support from dedicated volunteers can we build a Reading Revolution that will bring great books to everyone.

We have a growing number of volunteer projects, which seek to help more people to benefit from Get Into Reading, and give individuals the opportunity to develop new skills and grow in confidence through being part of our team.

Volunteering in the North West

Merseyside Volunteer Reader Scheme

Funded by the Big Lottery, this flagship volunteer project seeks to enable those at risk of or suffering from mental health difficulties, isolation or unemployment to benefit from joining a team of volunteers who will take Get Into Reading to elderly people in care homes on Merseyside. Taking part in the programme, volunteers will be fully trained and supported by TRO staff, with a focus on their own personal development and an impact on their wider lives. There are opportunities to be trained as readers for elderly people, assistants in Get Into Reading groups, and office based roles. Volunteers receive regular feedback from TRO staff, through which their achievements will be recognised and celebrated.

All volunteer roles include full induction, training and ongoing support. For more information download our Volunteer Information Pack or e-mail Christine: christinejohnson@thereader.org.uk.

Hope University Volunteer Readers

We are working with the Faculty of Education at Liverpool’s Hope University in its mission to provide its first-year students with a dynamic and engaging curriculum. Through the newly established Reader-in-Residence project we will be providing a team of volunteer reading group leaders, who will be able to deliver weekly reading sessions to both students and staff in order to create a faculty-wide culture of reading for pleasure. Taking part in this project, volunteers will have the opportunity to be involved in spreading the shared reading ethos of TRO within an academic environment, as well as providing the teachers and education professionals of tomorrow with valuable, transferable, social and professional skills. There are opportunities to receive reader training in group settings, and all volunteers will receive continued support and regular feedback from our staff.

If you are interested in getting involved with the project, please email us: info@thereader.org.uk.

Volunteering in London

Volunteer Led Reader Development Project

We are looking for people for the Volunteer Led Reader Development Project we’re running in London with Barnet Libraries to become volunteer reading facilitators and run shared read aloud weekly groups in the area.

Volunteers are being encouraged to submit their own ideas about isolated groups or popular community venues where reading groups can take place. Each volunteer will be supported by a staff member from their local library.

For more information, please contact Paul Higgins: paulhiggins@thereader.org.uk

Internships

We regularly give opportunity to graduate level individuals to gain relevant work experience in a specific field, based in our office at The Friary Centre, Liverpool. Interns commit to a four month, full time role, unpaid with expenses covered. Roles include: Arts Administration, Communications, Finance, and Research. We regularly advertise internships on our blog, and formally recruit and manage interns, with a focus on their professional development.

For more information please e-mail Christine (christinejohnson@thereader.org.uk), our Volunteer Manager.